John Bowe: This weekend is Championship defining

There's always something very appealing heading north - I think it's the chance to escape the winter!

I think this weekend's SKYCITY Triple Crown could be defining in terms of the V8 Supercars.

It'll be interesting with this weekend's mix of hard and soft Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tyres. Saturday's sprint races, they'll use the hard tyre, so expect qualifying times to be very crucial and play a role in the results.

For Sunday's 200km race, teams are issued with two sets of Dunlop Soft SP Sport Maxx tyres. This will mean strategies will be fascinating, a bit like a chess game being played out at 250kph. There's lots of differing ways to use them and some strategies rely to some degree on safety car intervention, but if you happen to be on a fresh set of soft tyres towards the end you could look like a hero.

As the season has unfolded, Mark Winterbottom has continued to look the goods. He has been on the ascendancy since Bathurst last year, I reckon.

His whole demeanour has altered - in a good way, I mean. His carry is one of confidence, good consistent results is the simple answer. Both he and FPR seem to be in sync, I think the key is their cars are not so aggressive on tyres and Frosty's technique suits the New Generation racers.

He has good rotation through the corners and his car doesn't punish his Dunlops! Add to that consistent results and points gathering, as key in this business.

It's too early to be talking Championships - but I have said he is showing early signs.

Never overlook Craig Lowndes nor Triple Eight for that matter - do so at your own peril, I say!

I've also felt James Courtney has had a pretty fair run and returned from both Darwin and Townsville with a very good showing last time around.

I think he is showing a level of maturity - and don't HRT need someone in the winners' frame. I feel a little for Garth Tander - he's a better driver than we've seen this season.

That said, who'd bet against a young fella steering a Volvo?! It's been a few years since anyone made a comment like that!

Young Scotty McLaughlin is a future Champion through and through, he oozes class and quality well beyond his years. I think he's the pick of the new crop and he's racing guys who've been at it for over 10 years in many cases.

My world has been bordering on out of control this week and we're headed up North to Darwin for the weekend.

We've dusted off Mustang Sally, given here a little pre-race prep, loaded her into the transporter and she's now arrived in Darwin for this weekend's SKYCITY Triple Crown, which has the Touring Car Masters as a support category.

See you out there - and let me know who your pick is for the weekend!

Cheers,JB

Follow John Bowe on Facebook. Bowe is supported by Wilson Security, Dunlop Super Dealers and Coates Hire, and competing in the 2014 Touring Car Masters Championship.